Description
Hearty and comforting Chili Mac combines seasoned ground beef, a medley of beans, diced tomatoes, and elbow macaroni in a flavorful chili sauce, slow-cooked to perfection and topped with melted cheddar cheese for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1.25 oz packet Chili Seasoning
- 15 oz can Pinto Beans
- 15 oz can Kidney Chili Beans
- 15 oz can White Chili Beans
- 14.5 oz can Diced Tomatoes
- 15 oz Tomato Sauce
- 3 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth
- 2 cups Dry Elbow Macaroni Pasta
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef and vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, diced green bell pepper, and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Transfer to crockpot: Grease the inside of a crockpot and transfer the cooked beef and vegetable mixture into it.
- Add seasonings and liquids: Stir in the chili seasoning packet, pinto beans, kidney chili beans, white chili beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and low sodium beef broth until everything is well combined.
- Slow cook the mixture: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Add macaroni pasta: About 40 minutes before the cooking time is finished, stir in the dry elbow macaroni pasta, ensuring the noodles are fully submerged in the liquid. Cover and continue cooking for the remaining 40 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- Add cheese and serve: Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the chili mac, stir to melt the cheese into the dish, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce when adding the chili seasoning.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- If crockpot size is small, ensure pasta is fully submerged by adding a little extra broth as needed when adding macaroni.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chili Mac, slow cooker chili, ground beef chili, macaroni and cheese chili, crockpot recipes, comfort food
